Kessa's transatlantic Psychology success

The Psychology section at the University of Teesside has just been awarded top marks for Curriculum and Learning Resources in a subject review carried out by the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

The subject, which is among the most popular at the University, gained an overall score of 20 out of 24 in the review and Professor Tim Blackman, Director of the School of Social Sciences, said: "We are particularly pleased with the result and the fact that the assessors highlighted the excellence of the teaching they observed. Our students benefit from high quality teaching, excellent learning resources and a curriculum that gives their degrees recognition by the British Psychological Society."

One student with a definite enthusiasm for the subject is 25-year old Kessa Gill, from Fairfield, Stockton. She has graduated from the University with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and is hoping to continue her studies at Teesside, by applying for a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Counselling Psychology. She has also recently started a new job as a Mental Health Project Worker for Creative Support in Teesside. Her post involves supporting people with mental health problems.

Kessa first gained an interest in Psychology when studying for an 'A' level in the subject at St. Mary's Sixth Form College, Middlesbrough, where she also clinched 'A' levels in Communication Studies and English Literature. After leaving college she embarked on a series of jobs, including general nurse training in Lincoln, and hotel reception and theatre work. She returned to education at the age of 22.

She said: "I went to University for a change of direction and to improve my career options. I never thought I was clever enough to go to University, but now I've achieved a degree.

"Several of my lecturers have been absolutely brilliant; really supportive, encouraging and inspiring. I've been able to study a wide range of interests, such as current issues in Psychology, Counselling and the Psychology of Sexual Violence. The computing facilities at Teesside are also good and the Psychology technicians are really helpful; computers don't frighten me anymore! I've made new friends and the social life was good."

During her final year Kessa spent a semester in at the University of South Carolina in America's Deep South, as part of an exchange scheme which Teesside has run successfully for several years.

Kessa said: "It was a brilliant experience, the best thing I ever did. Student life is very different in South Carolina, the whole community is orientated around the University, for example the weekly student football game was very popular, with notices in all the shops promoting it. There was also the Homecoming Parade, which was a really big local event, where past students return. One big difference was is that it's illegal for under 21's to purchase alcohol, and there was no central Student Union bar to socialise in. So social life mainly revolved around parties in the fraternity and sorority houses."

She also took the opportunity to display a long-term interest in dance, joining the University's dance company and taking part in 'The Fall Showcase'. It wasn't all play and no work for Kessa, as she undertook research towards her final year dissertation. Kessa interviewed 186 American and British students, exploring body image and self-esteem in both males and females.

Kessa is the daughter of Pamela Gill and the late John Gill, and a former pupil of Red House School, Norton.

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